Psychological:
Leads to relaxation and a lack of inhibition. Alcohol also lengthens reaction time, and can impair vision and judgement of speed and distance.

Short term effects:
Inability to coordinate movements, impairing of speech, exaggerated emotions, sickness and hangover.

Long term effects:
Addiction, physical damage to the bodies internal organs, depression, infertility, obesity and anxiety.

Legal facts

Alcohol can be legally purchased on licensed premises by anyone aged 18 years and over.

It is illegal to give alcohol to children under 5 years old

A supplier is legally entitled to refuse you if you seem to have had too much to drink

It is illegal to drive with more than 35mg of this drug in every 100ml of your blood. The possible consequences of drink driving include the suspension of your driving licence for a period between 1-3 years, a hefty fine and possibly a prison sentence

Being drunk in a public place and being drunk and disorderly are both offences. You could be cautioned, fined or receive a community sentence.

Amphetamines

Also known as: whiz, speed, uppers, billy, Dexedrine, dexies, Ritalin

What is it?: Stimulant

What do amphetamines look like?: White or coloured power, sold in 'wraps', coloured tablets or capsules.

How are amphetamines used?: They can be swallowed, injected, sniffed or smoked.

Psychological: High doses repeated in short periods of time could cause panic and hallucinations. Greater confidence, depression, anxiety, euphoria and over activity.

Short term effects: Dilated pupils, tremors, lip and tongue dryness, exhaustion, loss of appetite. The immediate effects include wakefulness, heightened energy levels and a feeling of well being. Other effects include panic, dehydration, tolerance, high blood pressure, rapid irregular heartbeat and sleeplessness. The effects of a single dose of this drug generally last for about 3-4 hours, but often leave the user tired but unable to achieve sleep. It can take the body two days to fully recover from the effects of this drug.

Long term effects: strain on the heart, leading to a greater chance of developing serious heart problems, high blood pressure, paranoia, tension and a greater risk of developing mental illness. Psychotic states have been known to develop.

Legal facts

This drug is illegal except for in very rare cases where it can be prescribed for medicinal purposes.

Possession and supply of non-prescribed supplies of amphetamines are illegal

It is a Class B drug (Class A if prepared for injection)

The maximum penalty for possession of Class B amphetamines is 5 years and rises to 7 years for possession of Class A. Unlimited fines can also apply.

continued below

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An A-Z list of different drugs and what they do By Bobbie Morgan

Amyl / Butyl Nitrate

Also known as: poppers, snappers, rush, ram, liquid, gold

What is it?: stimulant that is chemically linked to nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

What does it look like?: found as a clear yellow liquid in small lass bottles. They are volatile and inflammable liquids with a sweet smell when fresh, but when stale degenerate to a smell often linked to dirty socks.

How is it used?: the vapour from the liquid is sniffed either directly or by soaking on a cloth.

The effects:

Psychological: Reduced inhibitions and enhanced sexual sensations

Short term: Feeling of relaxation. Unconsciousness can occur if use is combined with intense physical activity. Once inhaled the effects are immediate and last for about 2-5 minutes. The users skin becomes flushed and heart rate accelerates as the user experiences a feeling of euphoria. Fainting, nausea and headaches can occur.

Long term: Skin around the nose and lips can be affected by dermatitis. Heart attack and death can occur if swallowed.

Legal facts: you can use, possess or supply Butyl Nitrate without legal restriction. This drug is theoretically available from any chemist without prescription.

Anabolic steroids

Also known as: 'roids, testosterone, sustanon250, Anavar and by trade names such as Dianabol, Durabolin and Deca Durabolin

What is it?: natural or synthetic form of hormones such as testosterone. Can be used for medical purposes.

What does it look like?: it is available in tablet form and in also in glass capsules for injection.

How is it used?: usually taken by injection by athletes and sportspeople.

Short term: Increase in muscle size. This drug also makes the clitoris grow in women.

Long term: restricted growth, acne, liver disease, internal bleeding and ulcers. Men can suffer baldness, smaller testicles, lowered sperm count and breast development. Women can suffer increased hair growth, deeper voice and smaller breasts. Steroids can cause a build up of fat in the arteries, and death can occur from the resulting stress placed on the heart and blood vessels.

Legal facts

You can use and possess some of these drugs legally, but some are controlled.

Possession and supply of non-prescribed supplies of amphetamines are illegal

What does it look like?: found as leaf, resin or oil. Hashish or hash is resin scraped from the plant and compressed into blocks. The tar from a cannabis cigarette contains higher concentrations of cararogins than tobacco smoke.

How is it used?: smoked, eaten in food, smoked with the aid of bottles, pipes etc.

Short term: nausea from rapid inhalation. Cannabis affects the female cycle and reduces sperm count in males. It weakens the immune system, and can cause reddened eyes, dry mouth, poor memory and concentration, as well as a desire for sweet food and drinks (the munchies).

Long term: it has still not been revealed what the full effect of cannabis use in young people can result in. It has been suggested that smoking 3-4 cannabis cigarettes a day can lead to acute and chronic bronchitis and / or cause the equivalent damage to the bronchial mucosa of twenty or more normal cigarettes a day.

Legal facts

This drug cannot be grown, possessed or supplied legally.

It is an offence to allow your premises to be used for the cultivation and growth of cannabis.

It is currently a Class B drug (this is to be changed to Class C at the end of January 2004). Cannabis oil is a Class A substance.

The maximum penalty for possession of cannabis is 5 years in prison, rising to 14 years and an unlimited fine for supplying cannabis.

The Government will reclassify cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug, the new legislation will take effect on 29 January 2004 across the United Kingdom.
Reclassification means the Government acknowledge that cannabis is not as harmful as other Class B substances like Speed. But the supply and possession of cannabis will still be illegal. Penalties for supplying will
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